Lyric Opera Auditions

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Lyric Opera of Chicago. Here you will find current audition opportunities across the company.

Singers and instrumentalists wishing to receive audition information from Lyric Opera of Chicago or The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center may contact the appropriate administrators as follows:

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is pleased to announce that applications are open for the following Ensemble positions:

2024/25 Ensemble Singers 

Apply Now for 2024/25 Singers

2024/25 Ensemble singer applications are now being accepted. Applications are free and must be submitted via YAP Tracker. If you do not have a YAP Tracker account, register for free at www.yaptracker.com. 

The approximate contract dates for the 2024/25 Ensemble are May 6, 2024 through April 20, 2025 (to be confirmed), with an option for renewal as the positions are expected to have a two-year residency. Apply today through YAP Tracker and find application details here.

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is an equal opportunity employer/program. The Ryan Opera Center encourages qualified artists from historically underrepresented groups, including but not limited to those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color, to apply for its Ensemble.

For questions, please contact Susanna McNatt, Ryan Opera Center Manager, smcnatt@lyricopera.org, 312-827-3510.

Enrique Mazzola, Music Director Announces the following vacancy: Principal Clarinet

Auditions to be held May 25-28, 31, 2023

In the 2023/24 season, the successful candidate may receive:

• 20-week contract (end of August – early April)
• Base rate, overscale, and vacation pay to equal $87,000

Lyric Opera and the Chicago Federation of Musicians are negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement in the spring/summer of 2023.

For further information, and to receive audition materials, please email: orchaud@lyricopera.org

To audition, please send your resume and a $50.00 refundable deposit to*:
Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra Auditions
Principal Clarinet
20 North Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

*Please note that audition times will be granted upon receipt of $50.00 deposit.

HIGHLY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS ONLY
Vacancies resulting from the selection of a current Lyric Opera Orchestra member for any position may be filled at this time by any other applicant who advances to the finals in these auditions.

Some productions may require individuals with special talents to perform on stage, including:

• Ballet
• Children's Chorus
• Supernumeraries ("extras")
• Actors

Auditions for these roles are conducted on an "as needed" basis only; to find out about current/upcoming opportunities, please call the Audition Hotline at 312.827.3548.

Lyric Opera of Chicago will hold auditions for solo dancers with significant stage experience for its upcoming production of Jenůfa, by Leoš Janáček. The production was originally staged by acclaimed director Claus Guth. Teresa Rotemberg is the choreographer and Noelle Kayser is the ballet mistress. 

Jenůfa is casting 4 male-presenting dancers and 1 male-presenting cover plus 4 female-presenting dancers and one female-presenting cover. The choreographer, Teresa Rotemberg, is seeking dancers with classical training and strong acting. Pointe is not required. Male-presenting dancers with acrobatic experience are strongly encouraged to audition.
Dancers of all ethnicities are encouraged to apply.

Rehearsals will begin October 16, 2023, with five (5) performances running from Saturday, November 12 through November 26, 2023.

The deadline to register for this audition is Wednesday, June 21 2023, at 5:00pm CT

The schedule for Monday, June 26 is as follows:
9:00am Check in: must arrive by 9:30am
10:00am Warm-up class (mandatory)
11:00am Auditions begin: should conclude no later than 5:00pm, likely earlier.

For further information on audition requirements and registration, please email your résumé and headshot via attachment to balletaud@lyricopera.org. Auditions will be by invitation only.

Please be prepared to show a government-issued photo identification card to gain access to the audition. All applicants must have valid eligibility to work in the United States. Lyric Opera will not apply for working permits for foreign dancers.

Artists at Lyric Opera of Chicago are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists. Should you be hired for Jenůfa you will be required to join this union, if you are not already a member.

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Lyric Opera of Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

 

There are no chorus auditions currently scheduled.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's music staff consists of cover conductors, répétiteurs, and prompters. If you you like to be considered for a position on Lyric Opera's music staff, please email your résumé and references to orchaud@lyricopera.org. If you are interested in cover conducting and have conducting reels available to you, please be sure to include them.

Alternate contact information is:
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Music Staff Auditions
20 N. Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

Lyric grants auditions for principal roles to professional opera singers on an invitation-only basis. The artist's management should contact Lyric's Artistic Administrator or email soloaud@lyricopera.org with requests for an audition.

To obtain an information packet about becoming a supernumerary at Lyric Opera of Chicago, please send your information to Bill Walters, super captain, at bwalters@lyricopera.org.

For additional information, please call the supernumerary hotline at 312.827.3538.

There are no Lyric Unlimited auditions currently scheduled.

There are no musical theater auditions currently scheduled.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg